Portable folding seat

ABSTRACT

A portable folding seat comprises a pair of inverted U-shaped frames pivotally joined at their legs and which fold for storage into the thickness of a single frame. A canvas strip is secured to the cross-pieces of the frames and is adjustable in length to provide adjustability of the height of the seat when open. Two elastic straps of adjustable length are secured to opposite ends of one of the crosspieces and are adapted to attach to the belt of the user. A non-elastic strap is secured proximate the midpoint of the same cross-piece and is likewise adapted to attach to the user&#39;&#39;s belt and thereby permit portability during non-use. When the elastic straps are adjusted to the proper length for the user, the seat may be suspended from the rear during non-use and readily deployed by simply pushing downward on the crosspiece of one of the frames.

U United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,895,839 Amato July 22, 1975 PORTABLEFOLDING SEAT Primary Examiner-Francis K. Zugel II A 99 L k St., [76]Inventor ag all: m Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Rose & Edell [22] Filed:Dec. 13, 1973 1211 Appl. No.: 424,455 [571 ABSTRACT A portable foldingseat comprises a pair of inverted [52] US. Cl 297/4; 297/26 ap frames pota y jo ned at their legs and [51] Int. Cl. A47c 3/32 which fold forStorage into the thickness of a ng 58 Field of Search 297/4, 16, 26, 17,45; frame A canvas Strip is secured to the cross-Pieces of 24 /154; 10311 the frames and is adjustable in length to provide adjustability ofthe height of the seat when open. Two [56] R f r Cit d elastic straps ofadjustable length are secured to oppo- UNITED STATES PATENTS site endsof one of the crosspieces and are adapted to attach to the belt of theuser. A non-elastic strap is segfi cured proximate the mid-point of thesame cross-piece 807 394 12/1905 I I I i i I26 and is likewise adaptedto attach to the user's belt and 2 7:953 5/191 Zolp D l 297 therebypermit portability during non-use. When the 1,417, 0 5 1922 Nesland108/113 elastic straps are adjusted to the proper length for the3,062,580 11/1962 Jasmin 297/4 user, the seat may be suspended from therear during 3,122,397 2/1964 Mintz 248/164 X non-use and readilydeployed by simply pushing down- 3,I82,6I4 McLean 108/118 ward on thecfosspiece of one of the frames FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 5 CI 4 DF 775,193 5/1957 United Kingdom 297 4 fl 'awmg gums 1 PORTABLE FOLDINGSEAT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention. relates toportable seats and, more particularly, to seats which are readilysecured to the apparel of the user during non-use.

The problem toward which the present invention is directed concerns theneed for a portable seat which, when not in use, can be carriedunobtrusively at public events such as parades, fairs, races, etc. Theseat should be lightweight, small when stored, easily carried andadaptable to different size persons.

Numerous approaches to portable seats exist in the prior art, but nonehave the combination of features described in the preceding paragraph.For example, US. Pat. Nos. l,468,072 and 3,062,580 disclose cushiontypeseats which are conveniently attachable to the users belt. These seatshave limited utilization because the user must find some supportstructure on which to sit, or else sit on the ground. Often the supportstructure is not present and the ground affords a poor vantage point.Moreover these seats are not adapted to fit different size persons. 1

In US. Pat. No. 3,306,658 there is disclosed a rigid contoured seatwhich can be suspended from the users belt and supported by a singleleg. This arrangement is extremely cumbersome to carry when supportedfrom the belt due to the configuration of the seat. Moreover, the singlesupport leg requires the user to support himself with both legs whileusing the seat. A similarly disadvantageous arrangement is disclosed inUS. Pat. No. 774,873 and takes the form of two pivotally joined legswhich can be forced open against the action ofa spring. The seat issuspended from a specially provided harness and remains between theusers legs when not in use. Apart from the disadvantage of the specialharness, the location of the seat between the users legs causesconsiderable discomfort.

In US. Pat. No. 332,749 there is disclosed a folding seat which attachesto the wearers belt and is suspended so that one pair of legs touchesthe floor when the seat is not in use. The seat is thus dragged alongthe floor or ground by the user when the seat is in its foldedcondition, a highly undesirable and annoying feature.

I Further, the seat is of bulky construction, further adding to theannoyance of carrying it, and has no adjustability for use by differentsize persons. Moreover, the use of wheels on one pair of legs makes itextremely dangerous for the user to deploy the seat for use directlyfrom the stored position attached to the users belt.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a portablefolding seat which is convenient to carry when not in use, which isreadily and safely deployed for use from its stored position, and whichis adaptable for use by persons of different size.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable seatwhich can be secured to the users apparel and carried without annoyancewhen not in use.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portablefolding seat which is adjustable for use by different size persons.

SUMMARY or THE INVENTION According to the presentinvention a portablefolding seat is constructed from a pair of inverted U'shaped frameswhich are pivotally-joined at their legs. One frame. is of shorterlength than the other so that the smaller frame can be located entirelywithin the periphery of the larger frame when the seat is folded closed.The cross-piece of the shorter frame has two elastic straps secured atits ends and a non-elastic strap secured proximate its middle, thestraps being adapted to be secured to the rear of the users belt. Theelastic straps are adjustable in length to permit the seat to besuspended to the level at which deployment is facilitated for any sizeperson.

A canvas seat portion is secured to one cross-piece and is folded aroundthe opposite cross-piece. The folded end is secured to a strap which isalso attached to the first cross-piece and which is adjustable to permitadjustment of the length of the canvas seat portion extending betweenthe cross-pieces.

The seat is readily deployed for use from its suspended and foldedposition by simply pushing down on the cross-piece of one of the framemembers to thereby open the frame and present the seat portion foroccupancy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and still further objects,features and ad vantages of the present invention will become apparentupon consideration of the following detailed description of one specificembodiment thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of the portable folding seat of thepresent invention shown folded closed and attached to the belt of theuser at the users side;

FIG. 2 is a side view in section, of the portable folding seat of thepresent invention shown folded closed and attached to the belt of theuser at the users rear;

FIG. 3 is a side view in section, of the portable folding seat of thepresent invention shown open and in use; and

FIG. 4 is a side view of the portable folding seat of the presentinvention shown open and ready to be used.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings withgreater specificity, the seat of the present invention includes a pairof U- shaped frames 11 and 12 made from suitably lightweight and rigidmaterial such as aluminum, fiberglas, or plastic of the necessarystrength. Preferably the frame structures are hollow, as bestillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, to further minimize the weight. Frame 11,which is somewhat larger than frame 12, includes opposedparallel-extending legs 13 and 14 joined at one end of each leg by across-piece 16. Smaller frame 12 includes opposed parallel-extendinglegs 17 and 18 joined at one end of each leg by cross-piece 19. A pivotpin or bolt 21 joins legs 13 and 17 in pivotal engagement proximatetheir mid-points; a similar pin or bolt 22 joins legs 14 and 18 inpivotal engagement proximate their midpoints. The pivotal connectionthus provided permits the seat to be folded closed, when not in use, oropen, when in use. Non-slip rubber or plastic tips 23, 24, 26, and 27are secured to the lower ends of legs 13, 14, 17 and 18, respectively.

A strip 28 of canvas or similarly strong foldable material extendsbetween cross-pieces 16 and 19 and thereby provides a seating portionwhen the seat is open. One end of strip 28 is folded over cross-piece 19and sewn back upon itself to provide a sleeve within which cross-piece19 resides. The other end of strip 28 is folded over cross-piece 16 andpasses through the narrow space provided between that cross-piece and aflat member 29 secured at its ends along a side of crosspiece 16 whichis remote from cross-piece 19. Member 29 prevents strip 28 from slidingalong the length of cross-piece 16. After passing between cross-piece 16and member 29, strip 28 is folded back toward crosspiece 19. The extremeend of this portion of strip 28, which resides under the seat portionwhen the seat is open, is folded over a flat elongated member 31 andsewn back upon itself to provide a sleeve surrounding member 31. Member31 serves to effect rigid planar support for this end of strip 28.

A two-piece strap arrangement includes one piece 32 secured aboutsupport member 31, through canvas strip 28, and arranged to be engagedby a buckle 33. The buckle is secured to one end of the second strappiece 34, which is in turn secured to cross-piece 19 proximate itsmid-point through canvas strip 28 by means of a bolt or rivet 35. Thelength of the seat portion of strip 28 thus subtended betweencross-pieces 16 and 19 is rendered adjustable by tightening or looseningthe two-piece strap arrangement comprising strap pieces 32 and 34 andbuckle 33. If the strap arrangement is loosened the seat portion becomeslarger, permitting the frames 11 and 12 to open wider and therebysupport the seat portion at a lower level. If the twopiece straparrangement is tightened the frames cannot open as wide and the seatportion is thus supported at a higher level. The overall result,therefore, is a capability of adjusting the height of the seat portion.

The end of strap 34 which is remote from buckle 33 is secured to a clip36 which is adapted to be removably secured over a belt or the like. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, clip 36 fits over the users belt and permits theseat to hang suspended at the users side or rear.

An important feature of the present invention is that frame 12 is sizedto fit within the periphery of frame 11 when the seat is closed (seeFIGS. 1, 2). This permits the seat, when not in use, to occupy no morethan one frame thickness, thereby minimizing its bulk and rendering itunobtrusive when suspended from the wearers belt.

An elastic strap 37, adjustable in length by means of buckle 38, issecured at one end to frame 12 proximate the junction between leg 18 andcross-piece 19. The other end of elastic strap 37 has a clip 39 securedthereto, which clip is likewise adapted to be removably secured to ausers belt. A similar elastic strap 41, adjustable in length by means ofbuckle 42, is secured at one end to frame 12 proximate the junctionbetween leg 17 and cross-piece 19. The other end of elastic strap 41 hasa clip 43 secured thereto, which clip is likewise adapted to beremovably secured to a users belt. The ability to adjust the length ofelastic straps 37 and 41 permits the user to suspend the seat from therear of his or her belt at a level which corresponds to that of theusers buttocks. The user then need only reach around his or her back orbetween his or her legs and push cross-piece l6 downward and away fromcross-piece 19, whereupon the seat will open in a suitable positionrelative to the user's body.

It should be noted that when the seat is not in use it may be supportedfrom the users belt by the single centrally located clip 36; the supportlocation may be at the side or rear of the user. Alternatively, allthree clips 36, 39 and 43 may be attached to the rear portion of theusers belt during non-use. In either case, the central clip 36, securedto inelastic strap 34, is removed from the users belt prior to openingthe seat in order to facilitate positioning of the seat. If the seat hadbeen carried by clip 36 alone, clips 39 and 43 should be attached to theusers belt before the seat is opened.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the fact that theseat may be supplied with a belt in case the user does not wear belts.

My invention, as described, is extremely flexible in that it permits theseat to be set to different heights and to be suspended, when not inuse, at a level which is convenient for opening and deployment. It isfabricated from light weight material and can be folded to occupy oneframe thickness so that it may be conveniently carried.

While I have described and illustrated one specific embodiment of myinvention, it will be clear that variations of the details ofconstruction which are specifically illustrated and described may beresorted to without departing from the true spirit and scope of theinvention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A portable folding seat of the type which is adapted to be secured toapparel of a user when not in use, said seat comprising:

first and second inverted U-shaped frames of light weight material, eachincluding first and second legs joined by a cross-piece, said framesbeing pivotally joined to one another along a common axis through saidlegs, the legs and cross-piece of said first frame being slightly largerthan the legs and cross-piece of said second frame such that in a closedpivotal position of said frames said second frame fits entirely withinthe periphery and thickness of said first frame;

a strip of foldable material extending between the cross-pieces of saidfirst and second frames to define a seating portion when said frames arein an open position;

adjustable means for adjusting the length of said strip of materialextending between said cross-pieces to vary the height of and spacingbetween said crosspieces in the open position of said frames, therebypermitting the height of said seating portion to be adjusted at will;and

attachment means for removably supporting said seat behind and from thewaist of said user, said attachment means comprising; first means forsupporting said seat at a standard position below said users waist whensaid seat is being carried in a nondeployed condition: and second meansfor supporting said seat at an adjustable position below the users waistwith the frames in an open position to facilitate deployment of saidseat by users of different heights.

2. The seat according to claim 1 wherein said strip of foldable materialforms a sleeve surrounding one of said cross-pieces and is folded overthe other crosspiece to extend back toward said one cross-piece beneathsaid seat portion, and wherein said means for adjusting comprisestwo-piece strap means of adjustable length extending below said seatportion between the to be secured to said belt-like member, whereby,upon disengagement of said inelastic strap clip means from saidbelt-like member, said seat may be pulled downward against opposingforces exerted by said elastic straps.

5. The seat according to claim 4 further comprising means for adjustingthe length of said pair of elastic straps when unextended.

1. A portable folding seat of the type which is adapted to be secured toapparel of a user when not in use, said seat comprising: first andsecond inverted U-shaped frames of light weight material, each includingfirst and second legs joined by a cross-piece, said frames beingpivotally joined to one another along a common axis through said legs,the legs and cross-piece of said first frame being slightly larger thanthe legs and cross-piece of said second frame such that in a closedpivotal position of said frames said second frame fits entirely withinthe periphery and thickness of said first frame; a strip of foldablematerial extending between the cross-pieces of said first and secondframes to define a seating portion when said frames are in an openposition; adjustable means for adjusting the length of said strip ofmaterial extending between said cross-pieces to vary the height of andspacing between said cross-pieces in the open position of said frames,thereby permitting the height of said seating portion to be adjusted atwill; and attachment means for removably supporting said seat behind andfrom the waist of said user, said attachment means comprising; firstmeans for supporting said seat at a standard position below said user''swaist when said seat is being carried in a non-deployed condition; andsecond means for supporting said seat at an adjustable position belowthe user''s waist with the frames in an open position to facilitatedeployment of said seat by users of different heights.
 2. The seataccording to claim 1 wherein said strip of foldable material forms asleeve surrounding one of said cross-pieces and is folded over the othercross-piece to extend back toward said one cross-piece beneath said seatportion, and wherein said means for adjusting comprises two-piece strapmeans of adjustable length extending below said seat portion between theextremity of the folded end of said strip of folded material and saidone cross-piece.
 3. The seat according to claim 1 wherein said firstmeans is an inelastic strap secured at one end to one of saidcross-pieces and having clip means at its other end for attaching saidinelastic strap to a belt-like article worn by said user.
 4. The seataccording to claim 3 wherein said second means comprises a pair ofelastic straps secured to opposite ends of said one cross-piece andbeing adapted to be secured to said belt-like member, whereby, upondisengagement of said inelastic strap clip means from said belt-likemember, said seat may be pulled downward against opposing forces exertedby said elastic straps.
 5. The seat according to claim 4 furthercomprising means for adjusting the length of said pair of elastic strapswhen unextended.